Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-10-01
4 CELESTIAL SIGN.
THE NATURE OF CHINESE MUTUAL
AID ASSOCIATIONS.

Results Of an Inquiring Reporters In
vestigations - 4 chinaman's Explana-
tIoa-The Detectives' Account by No
Means Complimentary.
Patrons OF the Clay street cable line, which
passes through Chinatown, have inarveled
much at the possible meaning Of good En-
glish sign swung boldly TO the sight OF all
men from the third story OF a building on the
south side Of Clay street, short distance
east Of Stockton. II Is resplendent with gilt
lttsring and gracefully draped with red
cloth. IL appears bold and busintsslikc. It
reads; aJog Lum Sen Fong, Chinese Mutual
Aid Association" These words have ring
to them that Is especially pleasing to the ear
Of an American. They sound modern. They
uggest all institution possible only TO modern
conditions Of trade-the mutual benefit asso-
citation, the most recent and as yet unfinished
Institution Of our democratic freedom. But,
above all, 1t is gratifying to our race pride TO
think that the belated son Of the Orient has
observed " our keeping something else that
he must perforce copy.
A reporter entered the Railways Of the
customary Chinatown rookery, climbed three
| Gig hts OF narrow, dirty and dark stairs. and
making his way through an implanted, UNI
planned redwood door, found himself In a
Chinese business Office The Joss was there,
squatted In his hnsel altar begrimed with
punk smoke and hog fat. Facing this divinity
there was the usual low platform, softly car
peted. Upon this sat, in true Oriental
fashion, three cross legged Cinnamon smok
ing their tobacco through long tin cans filled
with water
"What you wantfv said one Of them.
THE object OF the visit was stated.
sMe no sabee- No talkee English" was the
. quick, susricicus response: and the three
Celestials became as mute as the little mus
taehed gods In trout OF then. They smoked
OIL totally oblivious OF the strangers pres,
snce, and after glance at the semi-barbar
LIa about him, he left the room.
MORN rRETsNTIoUs SIGN.
On his way down Clay street still more
p, etentious sign attracted his attention. Il
Vas swung from the top of building on
R'averiy place. and bore the words, "Chinese
and American Mutual Protective Assocla-
ton" Again the stairway was threaded,
and an apartment similar to the one just de-
scribed was found on the top floor. But
there appeared to be no one present. The
little god sitting on his heels and peering out
through cloud OF incense smoke was alone.
Presently, however, confused hobbling was
heard in one Of the dingy pasSageways that
led from the room, and Celestial madeLhis
appearance Guiding himself by the wall he
neared the altar, and then, turning to the
visitor, revealed the fact that he was stone
blind.
The usual question, @Whst you wants sas
asked and answered, and then the Chinaman,
after explaining that he saw nothing but only
heard, explained in very fair English the
purposes OF the society. He said, in effect,
that 1t was closely modelled after the Amer
lean pattern. The members pay so much
per month, in this case 81, and la return get
all the benefits that cooperation can afford.
II they become sick they are sent to a Chinese
doctors medical establishment and their ex-
penses paid; IL, through advancing age or
loss OF health, they are no longer able to earn
their living in this country, thcir fare back to
China Is paida Il found POOR on the streets,
they are taken to the home Of the association
and fed and clothed; il out of work, they
seek 1t through the aid Of the society. The
blind informant stated that every week the
Office receives letters from the oountry CALI
Ing for laborers; aud then, when member
breathes his last the society sees TO it tLat his
bones are in due time shipped to the lands OF
bis fathers
ASTONISHING INFORMATION.